Acanthosis nigricans and hypovitaminosis A. Response to topical vitamin A acid

摘要

The pathogenetic mechanisms in acanthosis nigricans are not well known. Hirschowitz et al. (1971) described a new syndrome which included complete nerve deafness, progressive peripheral sensory nerve demyelinization, loss of gastric antral motility, multiple diverticula of ileum and lower jejunum, steatorrhea and unusually extensive acanthosis nigricans. Dramatic clinical and histological response of the dermatosis to topical vitamin A acid treatment led to search and demonstration of severe hypovitaminosis A. The trifluoroaceticacid method ofNeeld&Pearson (1963), repeatedly used with serum samples, either failed to detect β‐carotene and/or vitamin A or showed levels below the normal range. These findings indicate that vitamin A deficiency may be a factor in the pathogenesis of acanthosis nigrica